LL.M. abroad

Studying for a Master of Laws degree or equivalent programmes abroad requires timely and structured planning and preparation. This involves far more than simply choosing a university location, a degree programme and sitting subject-specific foreign language tests. The application processes for both overseas degree programmes and for domestic and international scholarship schemes are usually complex. Master’s programmes in the USA and the United Kingdom, in particular, involve significant costs, which may, under certain circumstances, be covered in full or in part by scholarships. For both, students also require academic references from one or more university lecturers.
Qualified graduates naturally have an advantage when competing for places at particularly prestigious foreign universities and for lucrative LL.M. scholarships. However, the level of competition across Germany should not be underestimated. Here, too, it is therefore strongly recommended that you seek expert advice. Conversely, graduates who do not hold (high-grade) honours degrees do not necessarily have to give up their dream of a Master’s degree abroad. Those who set themselves realistic goals in this regard will find attractive opportunities among foreign universities.
A Master’s degree abroad does not necessarily have to mean studying in the USA or the United Kingdom. European legal integration makes degree programmes in France particularly attractive. For graduates aiming to work in the institutions of the European Union, the College of Europe in Bruges, for example, is the first choice. But even outside Europe and the US, the world is open to interested graduates. Well-established Master’s programmes can be found in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Israel, amongst other places.

Research stays abroad are particularly beneficial for PhD students whose dissertation topics involve comparative law. Experience has shown that such stays have a significant impact on the quality of their work. This is not solely due to improved access to foreign case law and legal literature, or the opportunity to acquire specific research skills whilst abroad. Of inestimable value is the personal exchange with foreign academics and students, through which the assumptions made about foreign law can be put to the test. Furthermore, the often crucial difference between ‘law in books’ and ‘law in action’ frequently only becomes apparent whilst on location.
Short-term research stays can take place as part of formal programmes run by foreign universities (e.g. visiting researcher programmes) or on an informal basis, facilitated by existing contacts between German and foreign university lecturers. Informal research stays offer the advantage of greater flexibility; in most cases, no tuition fees are payable either.

Many of the professors at the Faculty of Law have themselves been educated internationally or have extensive personal experience of research stays abroad and a wide range of contacts with colleagues overseas. Students and graduates of the Faculty should make the most of this potential, which is rarely found on such a scale anywhere else in Germany. Take advantage of the personal experiences available within your faculty and find out more during the LL.M. consultation hours about your options for studying abroad and/or undertaking a research placement abroad whilst pursuing your PhD.
Please select one of the contact persons listed below according to your specific advisory needs and arrange an appointment during the LL.M. consultation hours. We look forward to meeting you!

Professor Dr Katrin Gierhake, LL.M. (Nottingham)

Professor Gierhake holds the Chair of Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, International Criminal Law and Philosophy of Law. She holds an LL.M. in International Law, specialising in International Criminal Law, Human Rights Law and the Theory of Public International Law, from the University of Nottingham (UK). The LL.M. programme there is one of the most diverse in the English-speaking world and attracts over 130 students from all over the world each year. Her year in England was followed by a placement lasting several months at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (The Hague, Netherlands).

Professor Gierhake specialises in advising on international law and international criminal law; she can offer guidance both on choosing an LL.M. programme and on opportunities for placements in the field of international criminal justice.

To arrange an appointment during Professor Gierhake’s LL.M. consultation hours, please contact: lehrstuhl.gierhake​(at)​ur.de (opens your email program)

Professor Dr Alexander Graser, LL.M. (Harvard)

Professor Graser holds the Chair of Public Law and Politics, specialising in European and international law as well as comparative law. He completed his LL.M. at Harvard Law School in 1996/97. During the academic year 1992/93, he studied at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, where he obtained a Diploma in Legal Studies. In 2008, he was a Resident Scholar at St John’s College and a visiting scholar at the University of Sydney School of Law. He maintains research links in various regions, including several countries in Latin America, Asia and South Africa.

Professor Graser provides comprehensive advice on research and study placements abroad, including the relevant funding opportunities.

To arrange an appointment during Professor Graser’s LL.M. consultation hours, please contact: lehrstuhl.graser@ur.de (opens your email program)

Professor Dr Carsten Herresthal, LL.M. (Duke)

Professor Herresthal holds the Chair of Civil Law, Commercial and Company Law, European Law and Legal Theory.
In 1998/1999, with funding from the DAAD, he completed postgraduate studies at Duke University School of Law (USA). He subsequently passed the bar exam in New York and was admitted to the bar in the State of New York (attorney-at-law, N.Y.).
Professor Herresthal is a liaison lecturer for the German National Academic Foundation and has extensive experience with the application processes for Master’s programmes at American universities.

Professor Herresthal’s advisory services focus on studying in North America, admission to the bar in the USA, and financial support for such stays abroad.

To arrange an appointment during Professor Herresthal’s LL.M. consultation hours, please contact: carsten.herresthal​(at)​jura.uni-regensburg.de (opens your email program)

Professor Dr Martin Löhnig

Professor Löhnig holds the Chair of Civil Law, German and European Legal History, and Canon Law. He collaborates primarily with European universities, particularly in Italy, Spain, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic.

Professor Löhnig’s advisory focus is on study and research locations in Italy, Spain and Eastern Central Europe.

To arrange an appointment during Professor Löhnig’s LL.M. consultation hours, please contact: martin.loehnig​(at)​ur.de (opens your email program)

Professor Dr Claudia Mayer, LL.M. (Chicago)

Professor Mayer holds the Chair of Civil Law and Private International Law. With funding from the Equal Opportunities for Women in Research and Teaching programme, she completed a postgraduate programme at the University of Chicago Law School (USA) in 2011/12 and has numerous contacts at US universities as well as experience with the application process.

Professor Mayer’s advisory services focus on studying in North America and on securing funding for such stays abroad.

To arrange an appointment during Professor Mayer’s LL.M. consultation hours, please contact: claudia.mayer​(at)​ur.de (opens your email program)

Professor Dr Thorsten Kingreen

Professor Kingreen holds the Chair of Public Law, Social Law and Health Law. Among other things, he studied at the University of Geneva and completed his elective placement during his legal traineeship at the German Embassy in Tel Aviv.

Professor Kingreen has particularly strong links with Greece and spent a research year at the University of California (Berkeley) in 2014/2015. There, he maintains close contacts with the Institute for European Studies (IES). Thanks to his initiative, a partnership has been established between the University of Regensburg and the University of California, Berkeley. This partnership facilitates research stays in Berkeley, primarily for postgraduate students.

Professor Kingreen’s advisory work focuses on North America as a research hub.

To arrange an appointment during Professor Kühling’s LL.M. consultation hours, please contact: thorsten.kingreen​(at)​jura.uni-regensburg.de (opens your email program)

Professor Dr Jürgen Kühling, LL.M. (Brussels)

Professor Kühling holds the Chair of Public Law, Property Law, Infrastructure Law and Information Law.
In addition to his own experience gained whilst studying for an LL.M. in legal theory in Brussels on a scholarship from the German National Academic Foundation, Professor Kühling has extensive research links with US universities, in particular the renowned University of California, Berkeley and universities in Chicago and Washington.

Professor Kühling’s advisory work focuses on North America as a centre of research.

To arrange an appointment during Professor Kühling’s LL.M. consultation hours, please contact: juergen.kuehling​(at)​jura.uni-regensburg.de (opens your email program)

Professor Dr Robert Uerpmann-Wittzack, Maîtrise en droit

Professor Uerpmann-Wittzack holds the Chair of Public Law and International Law.
He completed his studies abroad in Aix-en-Provence, in the south of France, with a Maîtrise en droit, a French master’s degree. Today, he collaborates primarily with European universities, notably in France and Poland.

Professor Uerpmann-Wittzack’s advisory work focuses on France as a centre for study and research.

To arrange an appointment during Professor Uerpmann-Wittzack’s LL.M. consultation hours, please contact:
robert.uerpmann-wittzack​(at)​ur.de (opens your email program) or during his regular consultation hours.

Transcript of Records

The law degree programme is not modularised, meaning that there is neither a module catalogue nor a fixed allocation of ECTS credits. Consequently, it is not possible to generate a so-called ‘Transcript of Records’ automatically; this must be done manually. If you need to submit such a document in English as part of your application process, our Law Examination Office is your first point of contact. There, you will receive a complete overview of all your academic achievements. You must then apply for the Transcript of Records at the UR’s International Office. There, you should submit the academic record together with your examination certificate, degree certificate and SP examination certificate (if already available). A small administrative fee of €20 is charged for the initial issue (as of January 2019).

Further reading

There is not a vast amount of literature available on studying for an LL.M. abroad. The following works are particularly worth noting:

• e-fellows.net: The LL.M.: Benefits, Timing, Selection, Application, Funding, 12th ed. 2018
• German-American Lawyers’ Association e.V.: Master’s Programmes in the USA for Lawyers (LL.M., M.C.L., M.C.J.), 3rd ed., 2008

Several copies of both books are available in the Law Branch Library (shelf marked 31/PC 5700, entrance area to the Law Reading Room I). The books can also be borrowed from Professor Heese’s department. The books are suitable as an initial introduction, but cannot replace a personal consultation.